Enchanted Lover Read Online Free Page B

billowed in the
wind identifying her as a member of the Innes clan.
    The man to her right ran his hand through her hair.
Asilinn jerked away and he snickered.
    "Give me a few minutes alone with this beauty
before we do the deed," he petitioned.
    "Were there more time, I’d have the wench
myself. She's a rare jewel," the tall man said, bringing his dancing horse
closer.
    A strangled whimper tore from Asilinn's throat. The
man on the horse conjured up a vivid vision from her past—the faceless man who
haunted her nightmares—he reminded her of her mother's murderer. Her attacker
was as hidden to her as the man who killed her mother those many years ago.
    "Let’s do it," one of her captors pleaded
groping her breast through the rough shirt.
    "Step aside." His master drew his sword.
"There is no time. The MacLean wilna be down long."
    Each man grabbed a wrist and held her arms
perpendicular so her body formed a cross. The taller man on the horse moved
forward and teased her voluminous shirt with his sword. He tapped her shoulders
lightly and raised his weapon over his head prepared for the down stroke that
would end her short life.
    "Farewell, Lady Asilinn," he cried. Asilinn
saw the flash of cold steel—she screamed in terror when he started a downward
motion.
    Suddenly Ailleagian bore down on them his rider's
battle cry echoing off the surrounding mountains. With one sweep of his sword,
Jared MacLean sent the tall man's weapon flying into the rocks below. The men
on the ground sprang back freeing Asilinn in their fright. Jared grabbed her up
in front of him and wheeled his horse sharply taking the narrow trail at a dead
run.
    The men behind them found their horses and gave
chase. They were gaining. Around the next bend, the trail ended abruptly.
Ailleagian sailed through the air landing safely on the soft turf on the other
side of a chasm. Their pursuers skidded to a halt unwilling to make the jump
that would allow them to continue.
    Jared stopped his horse and gazed back up at them.
Turning they disappeared into the trail above.
    Asilinn's heart was pounding hard as she followed his
stony stare. "Who were they?" She was barely able to breathe.
    "Traitors to my cause," he said. "But
how…." His voice trailed off. He sat pensively for a moment then looked
down at her. "Are you injured?"
    "Nay, Milord" Asilinn murmured, remembering
all too clearly the sinister man who had threatened her life.
    "I think 'tis time we found a campsite. There's
a shepherd's cabin beyond the hill. We can take refuge there." He urged
the horse forward up the winding footpath.
    The cabin was a ramshackle affair. Its greatest
redeeming feature was the stone fireplace that would enable them to heat their
bodies and their food. Jared tied Ailleagian in a shed at the back and made
quick work of taking the chill off with a fire.
    He handed her a small pouch of provisions. "Warm
it."
    Asilinn did not protest. She could feel him watching
her as she bent near the fire. When she had completed her task, she brought him
his meal in a trencher borrowed from the shepherd's cupboard. Sitting down
beside him, she focused on her food.
    He picked up his bread and dabbed at the heated meat.
"Asilinn, do you fear me?"
    She raised her eyes to his and studied him for a
moment. "Aye, Milord, I fear all of your clan. Wherever you go violence
and death follows. 'Tis all I know of MacLeans."
    "Two clans made the war and it will take two to
end it."
    "I canna dissuade you from your plan?"
    "Are you unhappy at the thought of being my
wife?"
    His eyes danced at her lack of immediate response.
Asilinn's anger flamed. "Dinna make me kill you to gain my freedom!"
    "Kill me?" He choked, totally amused by the
prospect. "The dirk is not much of a weapon to use upon a man of my
size."
    "Still I would be obligated to fight you."
She scowled at him. "Do you know how much store I set in my murdered
brothers? They were dear to my heart. It was you and yours who killed
them."
    His face